Relay



March 13, 1962 L. J. GRESHEL 3,025,370

RELAY Filed Feb. 3, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

LEONARD J. GRESHEL BY ATTORNEYS March 13, 1962 L. J. GRESHEL 3,025,370

RELAY Filed Feb. 3, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4 Q

INVENTOR.

LEONARD J. GRESHEL ATTORNEYS States atent tree 3,025,370 RELAY Leonard J. Greshel, Cohasset, Mass., assignor to Joseph Pollalr Corporation, Dorchester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Feb. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 6,394 9 Claims. (Cl. 200-87) The present invention relates to a relay.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a durable relay of simple and inexpensive construction having relatively few components.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a relay particularly adapted for use in non-intricate transfer applications. In addition, this design is particularly useful for relatively small relays, and in relays having a high degree of efiiciency.

In the present invention an armature of magnetic material is surrounded by and is coaxial or substantially coaxial with an energizable coil. The armature is connected at one end to a frame of metallic material having one terminal. The free end of the armature projects through the other end of the coil and normally contacts a second terminal, of nonmagnetic material. A third terminal or set of terminals adjacent the second terminal of nonmagnetic material and free end of the armature is formed of magnetic material. Portions or extensions of this terminal are closely positioned to the first mentioned terminal or the frame but are insulated from it so as to form a magnetic short but an electrically insulated junction. On energization of the coil, a magnetic circuit is completed through the first and third mentioned terminals and the armature. This tends to move the armature from its normal contact with the second nonmagnetic terminal to the third magnetic terminals.

These and other features of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the assembled invention in its preferred embodiment,

FIG. 2 illustrates an ex loded View of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a modification of the present invention, and,

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the modification of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3.

The bobbin coil suitably wound on a hollow core 11 is sandwiched between and suitably secured at its upper and lower ends respectively to the terminal board 12 and base 13. The terminal board 12 and base 13 are made of insulating materials and may, if desired, be varied in their shape. A combination armature and frame generally illustrated at 15, is formed of a magnetic material such as a nickel-iron alloy. This armature and frame assembly may be formed of flat stock material bent into a U-shaped configuration with an outwardly extending flange 16 at the upper end of one leg of the U. In this arrangement, the flange 16 is continuous with leg 17 which in turn is connected through the bight 19 to the armature forming leg 18. The armature forming leg 18 is longitudinally split by a vertically extending slot 21). An L-shaped coil and armature terminal 21 is formed with one leg 22 in face to face relation with the outer surface of leg 17 and with the other leg 23 substantially or preferably continuous with the bight 19. The leg 22 and leg 17 are permanently secured in a suitable manner in an electrically continuous junction. The armature and frame and the coil and armature terminal 21 are secured to the base 13 with the leg 18 projecting upwardly through the hole 25 in the base and through the core 11 of the coil 10. The legs 17 and 22 of the armature and frame 15 and terminal 21, respectively, project upwardly through the slot 30 also formed in the base 13. One terminal of the coil 10 may be electrically connected as illustrated at 31 to the frame which acts as a ground. The leg 23 projects outwardly of the base 13 and forms a ground terminal 34.

The terminal board 12 is secured to the upper end of the coil 10 with the hole 35 fitting closely about the upper end of the core 11. Secured to and preferably molded into the board 12 are the terminals 40, 41, 42 and 43. Terminal 40 is positioned in an elongated slot 40a in the lower surface of the board 12 and is electrically connected by a wire 44 to the other end of the coil 10. Thus, a circuit may be completed through the terminal 46, and coil 10 and frame 15. Twin terminals 41 and 42 are formed of a magnetic material such as an alloy of nickel and iron. These terminals 41 and 42 fit respectively into slots 41a and 42a formed in a recessed portion 46 on the lower surface of the board 12. These terminals 41 and 42 project entirely through the slots 41a and 42a respectively and are closely spaced from the upper end of leg 18. One half 18a of leg 18 is aligned with terminal 41 and the other half, 18b is aligned with terminal 42.

In the normally deenergized condition of the coil, the halves 18a and 1812 contact L-shaped terminal 43. This terminal 43 has legs 49 and 50 which fit into the slot or recess 43a of the board 12. Leg 49 extends transverse to the halves 18a and 18b of leg 18, and in the normal unenergized condition of the relay, is in contact with these halves 18a and 18b.

The flange 16 of the armature and frame 15 projects upwardly into the recess 46 and is spaced close to the lower surface of the terminals 41 and 42. This flange should be close to but still not electrically contacting these terminals 41 and 42. An insulating tape 55 made of material such as Teflon, may be used as insulation between terminals 41, 42 and flange 16.

In the modified embodiment of the present invention, the coil 69 is mounted on an insulating plate 61. This in turn is secured to the upper terminal board 62. Also rigidly secured to the terminal board is a spacer 63. The terminal board 62 and spacer 63 are made of an insulating material and provide support means for the other components of the structure. One end of the coil 60 is connected to the terminal 65 made of a nonmagnetic metal and suitably secured to the lower surface of the terminal board 62. The end 66 of the terminal 65 projects outwardly beyond the spacer 63. The lower end of the coil is connected by a wire 67 to the frame assembly. This frame assembly includes an armature 71 of magnetic material projecting upwardly through the core 72 of the coil 60. The lower end of the armature 71 is connected to a bight section 73 having scolloped side edges as illustrated at 74 for purposes of providing flexibility to the movement of the armature 71. A pair of legs 75 and 76 extend upwardly from the bight 73 and are secured to the outer face of the spacer 63 by suitable means such as cementing or the like. An outwardly extending terminal 78 also of magnetic material such as a nickel iron alloy, is continuous with the legs 75, 76 and projects outwardly beyond the spacer 63. The upper ends of the legs 75 and 76 are bent over into lips 81 and 82, which project into the slots 83 of the terminal board 62. These lips 81 and 82 are positioned quite close to the terminals 88 and 89 and are spaced from them respectively by insulating strips 90 and 91 respectively which may, if desired, be made of an insulating synthetic resin material such as Teflon or the like. The terminals 88 and 89 are secured by suitable means to the upper surface of the terminal board 62. These terminals 88 and 89 are formed of a magnetic mtaerial and have their inner ends partially extending over the opening 93 which is aligned with the axis of core 72 and the coil 69. The inner ends 4 and 95 of the terminals 88 and 89 respectively, in the normal inoperative position of the relay are quite close to, but not touching, the upper end 98 of the armature 71.

The upper end 98 of the armature 71 normally contacts the nonmagnetic L-shaped terminal 100 when the coil 60 is not actuated. The L-shaped nonmagnetic terminal 100 has one leg till partially lying over the opening 93 and the other leg 102 extending forwardly of the relay.

When the coil 60 is energized by current passing through the terminal 65 to the grounded frame, a magnetic circuit is completed through the terminals 88 and 89, armature 7 1, night 73, legs 75 and 76 and lips 81-82 and back to the terminals 8889. This will cause the armature 71 to bend into electrical contact with the ends 94, 95 respectively of the terminals 88-39 thereby completing a circuit from the terminals 88, S9 to the lips 31, 82 respectively through the armature 71.

What is claimed is:

l. A relay comprising an annular coil with an axial opening, an armature and frame of magnetizable metal formed as a U-shaped member with one leg of the member formed as an armature and projecting through said axial opening, the other leg of said U-shaped member projecting upwardly and adjacent the outer surface of said coil, insulating means securing said armature and frame to said coil, a terminal secured to said frame, a second terminal of magnetizable material positioned with one end adjacent but normally spaced from the free end of said armature, means mounting said second terminal on said coil, said second terminal also closely spaced but insulated from the upper end of said other leg, and a third terminal of nonmagnetizable metal normally closed to the free end of said armature when said coil is deenergized, said armature adapted to be moved from contact with said third terminal into contact with said second terminal on energization of said coil whereby an electrical circuit may be completed between said first and second terminal.

2. A relay as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insulating means comprises an insulating terminal board extending normally to said axial opening with a hole in said board aligned with said opening and into which the free end of said armature projects.

3. A relay as set forth in claim 1 wherein said U-shaped member has an outwardly extending lip continuous with said other leg of said U-shaped member, said lip positioned in parallel adjacent electrically insulated but I magnetically coupled relation with said second terminal.

4. A relay as set forth in claim 3 wherein a fourth terminal of magnetizable material is positioned parallel to and adjacent said second terminal with one end of said fourth terminal positioned adjacent but normally spaced from the free end of said armature, said armature adapted to close to said second and fourth terminals simultaneously.

5. A relay as set forth in claim 4 wherein said armature has a longitudinal slot therein dividing it into two longitudinal halves, each adapted to contact one of said second and fourth terminals.

6. A relay as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first mentioned terminal is formed of an L-shaped member with one arm forming the terminal end and the other arm secured in facing relation with the outer face of said other leg of said U-shaped member.

7. A relay comprising an annular coil with an axial opening, an insulated terminal board and an insulated base secured respectively at opposite ends of said coil with openings therein aligned with said axial opening, an armature and frame of magnetizable metal formed as a U-shaped member with one leg of the member forming an armature and projecting through said opening in said base and said axial opening in said coil, the other leg of said U-shaped member projecting upwardly and adjacent the outer surface of said coil, said frame also having a first terminal, a second terminal of magnetic material secured to said board with one end adjacent but normally spaced from said armature, said second terminal also closely spaced but insulated from the upper end of said other leg, and a third terminal of nonmagnetizable metal normally closed to the free end of said armature when said coil is deenergized, said armature adapted to be moved from contact with said third terminal into contact with said second terminal on energization of said coil whereby an electrical circuit may be completed between said first and second terminal.

8. A relay comprising an electrically energizable coil having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough, an elongated member of magnetizable metal projecting through said opening and adapted to be pivoted at one end for lateral movement in said opening, a frame of magnetizahle metal engaging and electrically connected to one end of said member and having a ground terminal formed thereon, a terminal of magnetizable metal having a portion closely adjacent the free end of said member and adapted on energization of said coil to be electrically contacted by said member and a second portion of said terminal closely adjacent but spaced from said frame, and a terminal of nonmagnetizable metal normally closed to said member when said coil is deenergized.

9. A relay comprising an electrically energizable coil having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough, means forming a continuous magnetic flux path interlinked with said coil and adopted in part to form a part of an electrical circuit comprising, an elongated member of magnetizaole metal projecting through said opening, a frame of magnetizable metal extending at least partially across and along one side of said coil and electrically and magnetically coupled to said elongated member, a terminal of magnetizable metal extending at least partially across the other end of said coil with a portion closely adjacent and adapted to be contacted by the free end of said elongated member, a terminal of nonmagnetic metal positioned at said other end of said coil normally contacted by said free end of said elongated member when said coil is deenergized, said coil on energization adapted to move said elongated member from engagement with said terminal of nonmagnetic material into engagement with said terminal of magnetic material at said other end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,858,562 Schedlbauer May 17, 1932 2,618,754 Daly Nov. 18, 1952 2,632,071 Rinke Mar. 17, 1953 

